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Correspondence

April-May 1961

Exchange with A. Manasseh about Funding for the Sassoon School (1961)

Combating Assimilation India

1. R. Lamm to A. Manasseh

1. R. Lamm to A. Manasseh (Apr. 9, 1961)

1. R. Lamm to A. Manasseh (April 9, 1961)

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Correspondence

Exchange with A. Manasseh about JDC Funding of Indian Schools (1961)

Dear Mr. Manasseh: I take this opportunity to thank you for the warm hospitality that you and your wife extended to me during my stay in India. With regard to the Sassoon School, Rabbi Jung has just informed me that the Joint Distribution Committee has made an initial grant of some $2,500 to the school. While I realize that this is far from sufficient, may I remind you that this is a beginning – as time goes on you can probably expect increases.I have just been informed from Israel that Mr. Robert Gilbert will shortly be in India, representing the J.D.C. and O.R.T. I most strongly urge you to befriend him in a personal way and try to develop him, thus benefiting the school in the long run.I hope you will be working closely with Mr. Jhirad, the Executive Director at U.O.J.C.A., especially on the matter of the lay Beth Din.Please do keep me informed about all matters as I am most anxious to assist the situation in India in any way that I can. Please bear in mind too that all the above information regarding the Joint Distribution Committee is confidential.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
India

Correspondence

Exchange with J.S. Ezra about Leadership in the Sassoon Schools and the Bene Israel Intermarriage Controversy (1961)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. It has been quite some time since you left Bombay but we enjoyed your short visit very much and you have certainly left a fresh impact upon us here. We hope to see you once again with us in the near future. Mr. Manasseh has conveyed to me the contents of your letter urging the necessity of forming a Bethdin in Bombay. I quite agree with the necessity of this move, as it will definitely help to consolidate and establish our work in Bombay. This question was discussed at a meeting held on Wednesday the 17th instant but was shelved for the next meeting. I hope very soon this body becomes a reality and a force in Bombay Jewry. Now coming to the question of the O.R.T. and Joint Committee in Bombay, I am sure you must have received a copy of the letter addressed to Mr. [redacted] by Mr. Jhiradas Secretary of our organisation, analysing as briefly as possible the selection of tlie o.r,t» & JOINT Committee and its workings as well as the adverse effect it will liave on our organisation in time to come. The reason is simple, as Mr. Jhirad has rightly put it that the person who controls the purse controls the community. If the present trend of events taking place in the community today is not nipped in its bua, I am afraid, Orthodoxy will be well overshadowed ana outnumbered. The aay will come when we will regret our failure to take early ana decisive steps against this threatening •na real danger. This matter shoula be takenup absolutely immediately and Jr. Jhirad‘s letter should be considered as a genuine and real fact and treated as such if we are truly interested and concerned with conse-quences. You liave already been informed by Jr. J’anasseh about the 500 dollars per month sanctioned for the school along with 500 each to the Elly Kadoorie school ana tlie Orphanage. The latter amounts were paid but the Jacob Sassoon school money was withheld even upto last week. I understand that Jr. Gilb…
Combating Assimilation India

Correspondence

Letter from Moses Feuerstein about Ban on Marriage with Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Norman, I read with great interest your letter of May 25th which covers the situation that is so sensitive. The remaining correspondence, which has been forwarded to me, indicates a situation that will require continuing attention and I am most appreciative, personally as well as on behalf of the officers and directors of the Union, for the time and effort which you are able to give to this very important area.There was a reference to cemeteries which I did not understand because part of a letter was deleted. If this is of any importance, I shall appreciate some information from you in this regard.The importance of getting a part-time man for this work is greater than ever. I am sure you are giving this careful consideration.With kindest personal regards, I remainSincerely yours,Moses I. FeuersteinMIF / eocRabbi Norman LammThe Jewish Center 131 West 86th Street New York, New York
Combating Assimilation India